Hammond Field, the home of the Springfield Cardinals will be no more after tomorrow. Not that the ballpark will be demolished. No, the Springfield Cardinals will rename the ballpark. The name change will be effective on Monday, April 27.
The Springfield Cardinals announced on April 23, that in conjunction with O’Reilly Auto Parts, the City of Springfield, Missouri State University and Mercy, the home ballpark for Springfield Cardinals and Missouri State Bears Baseball will be renamed to Route 66 Stadium. This will be a multi-year agreement with all the entities listed above. It marks a first-of-its-kind naming rights collaboration to create a destination for travelers near and far.
According to Cardinals’ GM Dan Reiter said. “It’s impossible to tell the story of Springfield without talking about Route 66. To cement the legacy of the Mother Road for years to come is something we’re extremely proud of. We know fans will continue to enjoy the baseball that they love, only now with even more community pride. We’re excited to continue John Q. Hammons’ vision for this community and bring forth a new era of baseball for years to come.”
Springfield is seen as the birthplace of Route 66. On April 30, 1926. It was at the Colonial Hotel in Springfield that officials first proposed the numerical designation “66” for the new Chicago-to-Los Angeles highway in a telegram. The city is officially recognized as the birthplace of the “Mother Road.
As a result of the name change, the Springfield Cardinals will give a commemorative ticket to everyone that will visit tomorrow’s game against the Midland RockHounds. It is the final time, a ticket will wear the name Hammons Field.
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